Buy cars through cellphone SMS

Andrew Walker, national business manager for SMS CarFinder, says the innovative cellphone service to locate used cars is now operational – and will be followed up by a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) to turn text into audio and add photos of cars for sale that can be viewed on cellphone displays.

To use the service, you simply SMS the word CARFINDER to 083-NET-CARS (083-638-2277) and then use a sequence of bi-directional interactive SMS data transfer to identify available vehicles and the dealers where they are located. The service is available at standard text messaging rates there are no reverse billing or value-added charges.

SMS CarFinder was established to address the one question that so many potential car buyers have - where to search and how long will it take to search for their ideal car? It is especially suited to those people looking for a nearly new or used car, but who do not have the time or inclination to spend countless hours searching the Internet or reading magazine and newspaper classified ads.

In essence, the service provides users with continuous access to updated dealer stock, with all essential information sent by SMS text messaging wherever they are, straight to their mobile phone. What's more, the service is available using one number to Vodacom, MTN and Cell C users.

"With the multitude of on-line car retailing websites exploding onto the South African scene, finding one comprehensive resource which acts proactively for the buyer would be the ideal solution," says Walker.

"Why trawl through the Internet searching for your ideal car when SMS CarFinder will send stock details straight to your mobile phone – with the minimum of fuss and maximum of ease?" he asks.